National Parks wields axe again to frontline staff

It is believed some concerned graziers in the central tablelands have written to their local member Paul Toole to complain about the loss of the expert managers who work closely with landowners to control pest animals and weeds.

The Public Service Association has warned wild dog packs will be free to roam and attack more than they are already because of the loss of the expert rangers.

In the past  six years, Parks have shed about 100 rangers and about 300 field officers. A number of regional managers have also been axed taking with them decades of bushfire management and pest control management knowledge.

The number of Parks regions in NSW have been cut from 66 to 35 areas. 

"The Government's assault on this workforce is nothing less than a direct attack on public safety," PSA general Secretary Stewart Little said.

"At a time when the wild dog population is peaking in the bush, Area Manager positions are being drastically cut, leaving farmers alone to deal with the issue, including further significant stock losses.

"Just last month, a Coffs Harbour resident was confronted by three wild dogs outside her house, while  a southern NSW grazier built a $300,000, 32-kilometre fence to keep the feral population out. Area managers, who coordinate and seek funding to resource wild dog control programs for their areas, have already been hampered by severe job cuts.

"Already 14 Regional Managers have been lost and now 15 Area Managers, who also manage bushfires, will be cut as part of the restructure that has just been announced," Mr Little said.

The Land understands that the area manager at Oberon has been told to relocate to Blackheath, some 50km away.

Insiders say that farmers will find it harder to source money for pest animal management in their local areas because of the cuts and having to deal with mega Parks regions.